Aretha Franklin Archives | South Seattle Emerald

by Jas Keimig

In January 1972, Aretha Franklin took the stage at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Backed by Rev. James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir, Franklin sang the gamut of gospel hymns and spirituals, moving all in attendance to tears, to awe, to ecstatic cries. The sweaty, tearful, emotional affair was captured on the 1972 live album Amazing Grace and subsequently in the long-delayed concert film of the same name.

During the pandemic, choreographer and dancer dani tirrell watched the documentary, moved by Franklin and gospel music’s raw power.

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by Chamidae Ford

On April 2, Converge Media launched its new series: Mochaculture. Hosted by Shaina Shepherd — also the executive producer — the show explores the history of Black musicians while highlighting local Seattle talent along the way.

Mochaculture initially began as a live event pre-COVID-19, but it has since adapted to the current state of the world.

“I was a musician two years ago, just kind of starting to make my way into bigger clubs. I had just got to know some of the artists that I used to just listen to and be a big fan of, and we would be in our little Columbia City bubble, and I just got the idea of ‘Let’s make a show,’” Shepherd said. “There’s no reason why a venue or a booker can book these people and I can’t, you know — so why not just try it out?”

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